I threw in the towel and sent my 13 month old black picture taking D5100 in to Nikon for repairs. I cited the posts in this thread and they gave me 20% off the repair price. If anyone is looking into batch production issues, my serial # is 3017074.

The repair consisted of replacing the shutter mechanism, shutter curtain blade and power pcb. They also cleaned it, upgraded the firmware, adjusted the auto focus mechanism and mirror angle. The camera is now working normally. Total cost after the 20% complimentary discount and including shipping and taxes was $136.82.

I was taking photos and after about photo #271 in my session this happened. Several black ones and no more photos afterwards. I've tried resetting the camera, the shutter and other possible fixes listed here including a different memory card, lens etc. Nothing! it
I contacted the seller (B&H) but 90 day warranty has expired and so basically I can send it them to them but have to pay to have it fixed. This sucks as I've had the camera for 5 months, had a D50 and before that many film Nikons and never had a major problem. I'm currrently job hunting, so don't have extra $ and the leaves (Aspens) are already turning here and not to mention other things I like to photograph. I'm very unhappy as cameras cost a lot on my budget as a counselor and not to mention I upgraded from the D50 because the photo quality has improved a lot and had hoped to keep the D5100 for many years and have it to be a reliable camera as I take very good care of my equipment.

Nikon's quality control has really been falling off in the last few years, which is sad to see. The D5100 issue is well known at this point, so I don't think anyone is going to get on fanboyish on you.

I recently purchased the Nikon D5100 DLSR with the 50mm, 85mm and 18-200mm lenses. During a recent vacation to the Pacific Northwest the camera started producing black images and the camera is less than 60 days old. I called Nikon & then sent it in for repair where they replace the shutter mechanism and shutter blades. They returned it in just under 3 weeks and out of the box, again it worked fine for a while. Yesterday, I was out shooting some of the fall colors and after a few shots with the 50mm lens I switched over to the 18-200mm and it gave me 5 shots producing the intended images. After that, there were only black images again. Less than 90 days and now the camera will be sent back to Nikon the 2nd time. Can't say that I am pleased nor comfortable with the brand, this being my first Nikon purchase.

Does anyone have any ideas what might be causing this? Could it be just a lemon?

Thanks,
Rick

You are not alone! See my previous post below. I had previously checked all the well known photography forums ( most of which i belong to anyhow ). This problem is more common than Nikon will admit too.
My 5100 which i bought as a support / backup to my D90 packed up after only 187 actuation's. Had heck of time with support. Still have not got the camera back. Been 3 weeks now.
And before the Nikon fan boy / trolls raise their digital pencils in disgust and disbelief, go check around. I even found the issue on Nikon's owner forums.

I am due a D90 upgrade was waiting fro maybe news of the D7000 replacement. But maybe it is now time to reconsider the position and sell all the gear and go to Canon and backup of Fuji Pro 1.

My 5100 is 13 months old and just started producing black images. the shutter appears to be working normally. The video mode also produces black images but does record the sound. Do any of the other black image 5100 owners have sound but no picture? Is this a clue worth following up?

EssexUK said:
Had the 5100 3 weeks. Did not use until now, due to work pressure. During that time I had bought other accessories for it ready for the big days shoot.

Powered up on Friday. Took a dozen practice shots. Got prepared to go and do some familiarization today ( Saturday). Geared up, then switched on to ensure all okay, guess what. BLACK screen?
Have tried everything inc all resets, manual mode lens off etc. Spoke to useless support. Who said send back for repair. Why repair it is unused?

Looking around the net I see too many having the same problem. Not good enough NIKON. I may have a warranty, but I do expect to be able too use the product paid for. And not be subject to another Japanese fudge on something that looks to be an manufacturing issue.
Why is it that if there is problem with a Japanese company over a product, they never want to admit to an error?

Either recall the 5100 or replace the faulty cameras so that users can expect a few years of troublesome usage.

I am older 35mm Nikon semi pro user now returning to digital photography. Was considering the D800 after I had found my feet with the 5100. I think it will be a move to another Manufacture if this is how Nikon now operate.

It is understandable that you are upset, but honestly manufacturing problems occur with mass market products. There is a 7-10% failure rate from the factory (normal for any mass produced product) for digital cameras. You (and the vocal minority speaking about this issue) had some problems, but that does not mean it requires a recall. Never buy a product unless you can test it during the 7-30 day return period from your retailer.

have the D5100 and i took arround 8k shots with it; brought it from very wet wetter to the desert. To summits of 4000+ mountains and had no problems but then I have it a year already and I want an upgrade :p (I know that's ridiculous but I really wants it)

Had the 5100 3 weeks. Did not use until now, due to work pressure. During that time I had bought other accessories for it ready for the big days shoot.

Powered up on Friday. Took a dozen practice shots. Got prepared to go and do some familiarization today ( Saturday). Geared up, then switched on to ensure all okay, guess what. BLACK screen?
Have tried everything inc all resets, manual mode lens off etc. Spoke to useless support. Who said send back for repair. Why repair it is unused?

Looking around the net I see too many having the same problem. Not good enough NIKON. I may have a warranty, but I do expect to be able too use the product paid for. And not be subject to another Japanese fudge on something that looks to be an manufacturing issue.
Why is it that if there is problem with a Japanese company over a product, they never want to admit to an error?

Either recall the 5100 or replace the faulty cameras so that users can expect a few years of troublesome usage.

I am older 35mm Nikon semi pro user now returning to digital photography. Was considering the D800 after I had found my feet with the 5100. I think it will be a move to another Manufacture if this is how Nikon now operate.

kemac said:
We just powered on the Nikon 5100 to take some shots. Out 4th time out in a month. Every image is coming up black ( lens cap off).
Called support and they asked us to send in camera. I am concerned that this is a very common problem with these camera and feel that for the money I should not have any issues. Has anyone had a camera replaced or refund?

With something like that it'll probably be taken care of by the warranty.

We just powered on the Nikon 5100 to take some shots. Out 4th time out in a month. Every image is coming up black ( lens cap off).
Called support and they asked us to send in camera. I am concerned that this is a very common problem with these camera and feel that for the money I should not have any issues. Has anyone had a camera replaced or refund?

Follow up post:
Luckily, after 3 days from purchase I was able to return my D5100 to the shop. But before that, the guy tested it in front of me. After he saw the problem, he removed the lens and started adjusting the shutter speed from highest to lowest and made several stutter clicks without lens, then everything worked fine.
But I insisted to replace it with Canon 600D...no worries at all now.

Quick solution. I had this issue today. In the middle of a shooting it Blacked-out. So I removed the lense and switched to Manual. On very low speed (3s) I saw that the shutter is not opening at all.
This happens sometimes if it is wet or greasy. As the shutter is opening on "best effort" basics, this will not trigger error to the camera.
So the solution: You need to shake the camera a little bit. Hold the camera with your right hand, then spank the bottom of your right palm to your left palm opened. It would need just a little shake to release the shutter. So first try very gently and then increase the force. DON'T HIT IT TOO BRUTAL. If it does not release on modest slap, bring it to the shop. TRY THIS ON YOUR OWN RISK.
It worked for me, so hope it helps you too.

i bought my D5100 last April 5, 2012 just before going to an island get away trip when i found BLACK PICTURE on my first shot.... very very disappointed, i read all the manuals but no help. Now im back and wants try to replace it with good one...

i used to be very impressed by nikon cams but this is what i got on my first cam.

Hello,
So you guys are not alone , I have the same problem with my Nikon D5100, and it happened within 3 days of purchasing the camera. After sending it back to Nikon service center they offered to repair the camera but refused to a replacement Looks like this is a manufacturing problem, Nikon should take the responsibility and replace the camera. As from other post it seems that this can reappear again. You are right I also found few guys on ifixit forum who had the same problem. Very disappointed with Nikon. May be we should all should get together in this issue

Sorry this happened to you. My 5100 has operated flawlessly, not that that would provide much comfort. It's got to be somewhat isolated, or there would be loads of posts from people about this, so I'm thinking you got a lemon and if I were you, I'd expect Nikon to replace the camera.......I hope this get's sorted for you quickly.

It is a stuck shutter problem, because if you activate the MirrorLock-Up Mode on your camera (like if you'll clean your sensor) you will not actually see the sensor, the only thing that you will see will be the blades of the stuck curtains

i had that problem too on my nikon d5100
Yesterday 19-Feb-2012 i was outdoors taking some great pictures :-p
and then suddenly all the pictures start to appear black as hell

Currently i'm wating for the service warranty,

i'm kind dissapointed on nikon, i thought they shutter mechanisms were with better quality, specially for they mid-range dslr :-/

On the ifixit forums there are other people with exactly the same problem

Ok ,you not alone had the same issue 2 months ago. Tech Support had me do a reset. It worked until last week. Now reset wont fix it. Its now back for repair. We should keep in touch . Did they fix yours? What was the fix? Because mine took two months to fail again how will we know if its ever realy fixed.